Martin von Walterskirchen

Martin von Walterskirchen, a Swiss Diplomat, was born in Budapest, Hungary and came as refuge to Bern, Switzerland where he grew up. He graduated with honors from the St. Gall Graduate School for Business, Economics, and Public Administration (HSG) in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Before entering the Public Service of the Swiss Confederation von Walterskirchen gained experience in working at different companies including Philipps AG. He held various positions in the service of the Swiss Confederation including Swiss delegate to the Committee of Senior officials for European Cooperation in Science and Research (COST), and Counselor of the Swiss Embassy in Moscow (USSR). During the Uruguay round of the GATT he led the Swiss delegation that negotiated the General Agreement for Trade in Services (GATS). Subsequent positions included chief of staff of the Swiss Federal Office for Foreign Economic Affairs (BAWI), Personal Advisor to the Head of the Swiss Department of Justice and Police and to the Swiss President.

The Swiss Federal Council conferred him on September 21, 2001 the diplomatic rank of Minister. In October 2001 von Walterskirchen became Director of the Swiss Business Hub USA, the Trade promotion arm of the Swiss diplomatic service and on January 1, 2008 Regional Director Americas for Swiss Trade and Investment Promotion.